It's Tuesdays on the Run. Today's topic is Dream Race, which would be a half marathon of course. I really don't have a specific location for my Dream Half. It could be anywhere. It has more to do with other aspects. In actuality, it's probably a combination of races I've already run. Here goes...
Weather: It would be a beautiful sunny blue-sky day. A late start would be nice so I'm not staring into the sun when it rises. The temperature would be 45 degrees with little or no wind and extremely low humidity.
Course: The ideal half marathon course would be slightly downhill (500 or so feet total) from the very first step to the last. The pavement would be new and smooth without sewer caps or speed bumps. Although slight curves are OK, there would be no sharp turns.
Scenery: I would be surrounded by natural beauty. This can be lakes, mountains, beaches, trees, fields or flowers. I would not see one single automobile and no traffic control would be necessary.
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| The race course could go right along the beach... |
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| Or it could wind through the woods... |
Performance: First and foremost, I would have had the most fun just doing what I love. Breathing would come easy. My GU packets will have opened easily and I would not have dropped any of my Salt Caps. An average pace of 8:30, without any cramps or pain whatsoever, would make it even sweeter.
Post Race Food: I would be served the best guilt-free grilled burger with cheddar cheese and honey mustard. Oh yeah. If finished off with a warm chocolate chip cookie, I'd be beside myself.
Post Race Beverage: An ample supply of margaritas would be provided and I would not have to drive home. A live southern rock band playing in the background would be awesome. Or, perhaps a little laid back chillin' beach music would be nice.
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| The after party could definitely be here! |
A girl can dream, can't she?
Who's in for the win?
Please visit our wonderful hosts:
Ericka @ MCM Mama Runs,
April @ Run the great wide somewhere
Patty @ My no-guilt life!
Love this! I'd like to start before dawn though, and cross the finish line with a beautiful sunrise!
ReplyDeleteOooohhh....that would be fun!
DeleteWhen I did the Eugene half, they had pancakes at the finish line, along with the usual fruit, bagels, peanut butter and cream cheese. Everyone was in line for the pancakes.
ReplyDeleteYummy. I've seen a lot of different food and am always impressed when they think out of the box.
DeleteI agree about the sewer caps and speed bumps!! And those little bumpy things that are along the yellow or white lines that mark the lanes of the roads. I hate running on those things!
ReplyDeleteOMG -- those square reflector things. I hate them too and I always gravitate toward the middle of the road exactly where they are!
DeleteI felt like I was there with you at your dream race! I love running along amazing scenery and not worrying about traffic as well.
ReplyDeleteSome drivers are not happy when there is a race going on! It can get scary.
DeleteI agree with all of these. Sign me up! Esp the maragritas. I am going to Jimmy this summer again!!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! I wish I were wasting away right about now... I even bought my lost shaker of salt from him establishment. HA.
DeleteI like running along the ocean for the distraction. But no hills. I need that burger now.
ReplyDeleteOnly downhill for me. No ups!
DeleteThat does sound like a perfect race. Great weather and a beautiful course. -L
ReplyDeleteI've run a few that came pretty close...
DeleteYour post race food list would be exactly the same for me but add a coke! I gave those up when I became a runner, but sneak them every once in a while after a race!
ReplyDeleteI drink a fountain coke once or twice a year, either with a burger or pizza. It always tastes so good.
DeleteAs soon as I typed this us, I was so pumped to run it! HA. Maybe we will get to run one together. Hope things are going well for you! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!! You brought up a lot of points that I didn't consider when I was writing up my own "Dream Race" (mine will go live tomorrow). I didn't even consider things like course elevation changes and the post-race food and drink. AMEN to ALL of those!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I absolutely forget about travel, packet pickup and race direction...which is all very important. I think I was just focused on the food and drink! HA.
DeleteI love this! Although I'd bump that temp up just a little (Florida girl problems) to 55 and other than that, I'm right there with you! Thanks for linking up with us today!
ReplyDelete55 would be OK too, but that's just about my max for a sunny half.
DeleteSounds like the perfect race! I would definitely sign up for this :) I can deal with any kind of weather and conditions as long as it's in a beautiful location. I don't even mind crazy terrain or climbs if I'm looking at something nice :)
ReplyDeleteI say I like something beautiful to look at, but then what I remember most is the pavement. HA.
DeleteI like the path through the woods....unlimited (calorie-free) margaritas....live hard rock music!! I'm in!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I forgot to specify that the margaritas would have no calories. Thanks for that clarification.
DeleteYou just described the best race ever--please let me know when you find it ;)
ReplyDeleteI will. As soon as I posted this, I was ready to run it!
DeleteGreat list, seriously I can see my own dreams in almost all of it.
ReplyDeleteOnce Carls Jr. gave out their signature burger at the end of a race, at the time I was too cold to eat it, so I skipped it. I always remember regretting that, since it took another few hours before I could get to some food!
We have Hardees here (same as Carls Jr.). I would have scarfed down that burger in about 10 seconds.
DeleteLOL well if you ever make it to the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon, they (at least in the past) have been one of their finish line sponsors, cooking up burgers for every runner:)
DeleteMy sister lives in OK so you never know!
DeleteMy dream marathon could take place anywhere, it wouldn't matter. For me, it would be how I feel and how I"m running! I want it to be fast and effortless. I want to have a smile on my face the entire time. No portapotty stops to slow me down. And at the finish, to feel great!
ReplyDeleteOh wait! I had that one last fall...almost! :)
Fast AND effortless would definitely be a dream. The speed I want is definitely going to require some effort on my part, unfortunately even in my dreams!
DeleteThat sounds like the perfect PR race for all of us! And margaritas and cheeseburgers at the end? I'm in, although I'd need a little time to rest before I'd have an appetite!
ReplyDeleteI like to drink a bottle of water first, but then I can eat whatever they are serving.
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